Pharmacovigilance: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Healthcare Professionals towards Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting In Central Region of Malawi
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Date
2017
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess level of knowledge, attitude and practices of dispensing healthcare
professionals towards adverse drug reactions (ADR) reporting and to determine if there are any
differences in knowledge, attitude and practices among dispensing healthcare professionals
METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional survey using stratified random sampling technique
was employed to draw 114 health facilities using categories of public hospitals, private
clinics/hospitals and community pharmacies as strata. Every dispensing healthcare professional
found in the main pharmacy of the sampled facilities was targeted.
RESULTS: Dispensing healthcare professionals have positive attitude but limited knowledge and
poor practice towards ADR reporting. There is significant difference on knowledge towards ADR
reporting among healthcare professionals as more of pharmaceutical personnel and medical
doctors indicated having knowledge than the other dispensing cadres but there is no significant
difference in attitude and practice towards ADR reporting.
CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals in central region of Malawi have limited knowledge and
poor practice but positive attitude towards ADR reporting. Lack of training, unavailability of
reporting tools and lack of information on how to report has greatly influenced the poor practice
of ADR reporting. Educational and awareness interventions on pharmacovigilance, use of
appropriately trained personnel and provision of required support to healthcare professionals
would greatly improve ADR reporting.
Description
Magister Scientiae - MSc (Pharmacy Administration and Policy Regulation)